Danica Patrick next week will formally announce her intent to move to NASCAR full-time in 2012, multiple sources with knowledge of her contract negotiations told ESPN.

[+] EnlargeHHP ImagesDanica Patrick, seen at Daytona earlier this year, plans to drive in NASCAR's Nationwide series full-time in 2012, according to sources.Although her contracts are still being finalized, Patrick -- who has raced in both the IndyCar Series and the Nationwide series this season and last season -- will drive the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet for the entire 2012 Nationwide Series schedule for JR Motorsports, sources said.

She also plans to enter select Sprint Cup races next season in cars prepared by Stewart-Haas Racing, with the intent to move to Sprint Cup full-time in a multiyear deal with Stewart-Haas in 2013, sources said.

Patrick is expected to make the announcement in Phoenix, where GoDaddy.com is headquartered, in a news conference currently being arranged, according to sources.

JR Motorsports representatives said Wednesday they have "nothing new to report."

"Tony Stewart has always said he'd love to have her, but we're a long ways from being at that point," Stewart-Haas spokesman Mike Arning said Wednesday. "From a Stewart-Haas Racing standpoint, things aren't there yet."

It is unknown at this time how this may affect Patrick's ability to compete in the 2012 Indianapolis 500, sources said.

Patrick has raced full-time in the IndyCar Series since 2005. She became the first woman to win a major open-wheel racing event when she went to Victory Lane in Motegi, Japan, in 2008.

Her success in IndyCar has made her a national celebrity and one of the most recognizable sports figures in America.

Marty Smith is a motorsports reporter for ESPN. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

michaeljohn wrote:wooooooooooooooho danica at SHR, i love it! let the hating and bashing begin........ a woman has a chance to make an impact in this sport, when in years women never get top grade equipment,

did you say top grade equipment?Oh nevermind, I dont want to talk about this subject

I'm sure Tony wouldn't bother if he wasn't convinced Danica could handle a CUP car. But then until a contract is signed it's all speculation. The money GO Daddy has to invest probably would look nice in the bank for SHR.

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Danica is the best female driver right now IMO. In half her races she has finished in the top ten. After a full year in nationwide next year I think she could be ready for cup. Remeber she will be bringing Godaddy to SHR so that car will be fully funded so she is indeed adding to the program. This will be the best chance a female has at winning a cup race. NASCAR is licking their chops.

I dont have a prob w/ her coming to SHR ....Tony is a very savvy business man and knows his stuff....i think she has great potential....she , in the few NW races she has ran, has done very well...I was also very impressed w/ the way she handled herself as Tony's dance partner earlier in the season...I do however think she needs more seat time in NW before heading over to cup...running a part time schedule in cup till then would be ok i think....but not much...My concern isnt really the equipment destruction issue its the hazard that could possibly happen to other drivers in the mix of it...but time and experience will tell...

While I really want to see a woman break through and do well in NASCAR, I wish it would not be Danica(I usually refer to her as a name that rhymes with witchica). That being said Smoke has made wise choices with his cash and I am willing to bet that he would not be making the move without guaranteed money since he has to spend time wooing sponsors for him and Ryan as he has mentioned several times.

"If it works for you, do it. If its how you feel, act it. Just be yourself, and if being yourself means you`re being cocky once in a while, have at it." Tony Stewart